» “We are the best of friends”

“We are the best of friends”

Garda O’Neill, of Clontarf Garda Station, with members of the winning Waterford squad after their Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2 Final win. Photo: Sportsfile

Ladies National Football League Division 2 Final Reaction

Smiles all round as a complete league final performance sank in. The newly crowned champions hugged friends, family and well wishers who congregated at the bottom of the stand.
Former players Linda and Mairead Wall, Louise and Sinead Ryan, Michelle McGrath and Grainne Kenneally were all present to offer their congratulations. Even former manager Pat Sullivan was in the stand to enjoy this one.
Captain Karen McGrath was so proud to lead this bunch up the steps. “We are the best of friends and it really does show on the pitch. The girls deserve it, I’m so delighted for every single one of them after the work they put in. It’s great for Waterford ladies football to be back up in Division 1. We’re going to relish this victory and look forward to the challenges ahead.”
The Cavan win was a turning point in this campaign. “We took massive confidence from the Cavan game. It was a tough encounter but we showed a bit of spirit and a bit of character.”

MARVELLOUS MARIA
Player of the match Maria Delahunty agreed with the skipper. “Cavan complimented the movement of our forwards and we took great confidence from that. We tried to go out and do the same thing today. It’s just amazing to watch. Quick ball into the forwards seemed to work well for us.”
Michelle Ryan now owns Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 medals. “We’re very, very happy with our performance today. When the scoring opportunities came in the first half, we converted them.”
Parnell Park hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for Waterford. “I was only talking about that last night, my sister reminded me!”
Aileen Wall was one of the chief troublemakers. She enjoyed getting quality ball and running at the Kerry backs.
“That’s something we targetted, we knew there was going to be space in the back line. It was all about the ball in. They were leaving in perfect ball to run onto.”
Delahunty’s deliveries were out of the top drawer. “When she’s on it, you know you’re going to get a nice easy ball.”